On a path to sustainability..

Greening the desert

We all know that there is a lot of land erosion going on in the world. Forests are being cleared for agriculture and wood profits, poorly managed agricultural land is degraded with the usage of poisons and machinery. Resulting in erosion slowly turning the land into an ever growing desert. Northern Africa was once lush and green until the Romans used it to grow their wheat and other crops. Now, there is only a desert left to show for it. I never imagined that a desert once would have been a lush green paradise.

Thankfully, how destructive we humans can be, we can also do something to stop this desertification. And that is simply done by correct land management and water retention methods. It’s all so easy, it makes you wonder why it’s not practiced on a large scale! Just by making an effort.

Loss Plateau in September 1995

Loss Plateau in September 2009

These images suggest there’s some image manipulation going on. But actually, these photos are real and show what was accomplished in China in 15 years time. True greening of the desert. Camera man John Liu made a documentary about this project in the Löss Plateau, which is the size of Belgium. ‘Hope in a changing climate‘ shows how eroded land becomes fertile again through permaculture methods and cooperation with the local people and now China uses these principles in more parts of the country to the benefit of local farmers and villages. ‘Lessons of Löss Plateau‘ is a different documentary with more detail about the project.

Now the same practices are used in parts of Africa. Even in desert countries like Jordan, where permaculturist Geoff Lawton is greening the desert bit by bit trying to spread the word by educating young children at the local schools. Geoff Lawton uses swales for water retention, permaculture design and ground coverage to stop the dehydration of the land.

Other methods like Holistic Animal Management by Allan Savory are also addressing these problems of land erosion, using correct animal management along with water retention methods to regenerate landscapes on an even faster scale. Nearly the exact opposite of prevailing theories that blame desertification on overgrazing, Allan Savory’s solution centers on dramatically increased livestock numbers to reverse desertification.

Holistic Animal Management

For hundreds of years the 6,500 acres you see pictured here in Africa were barren, dry fields until 1992 when Savory increased the livestock by 400% and managed them through holistic, planned grazing. Over a short time, the barren fields were transformed. The concept is formed around the idea that large herds of animals concentrated by predators — which have reduced in numbers over the years — were an essential part of the grasslands ecosystems. The herds have diminished in concentration, spread out and thus ecosystems are faltering.
Savory has developed an approach that uses livestock to replace the once ever present herds of grazing animals in order to reboot the ecosystem into green grass and open water, full of water lilies and fish. The dense livestock’s hooves break up the ground so water can seep through and new plants have room in the soil to grow, as old growth has been eaten and trampled. The concentrated amount of manure fertilises the ground and increases vegetation. The livestock graze on the vegetation for a very short period of time and keep the grasses at a healthy length and density.

These are just a few methods which can be introduced to make a huge difference. All realised by a change of perspective and a holistic vision. By observation of the land and making the correct adjustments to reverse erosion. This is something we can all work on. There are also products like Groasis which aid in greening of the desert. Very simple and effective growboxes to help young trees make a healthy start. But I believe you can accomplish just as much with holistic land management and permaculture methods.

If you’d like to learn more about these ideas you can watch documentaries here;

Ryo & Jim

Blogroll

Currently reading:

After reading part 1 of the Anastasia - Ringing Ceders books - I couldn't just stop there! They are so inspiring, about the way we can connect with nature on a deeper level again. Just by growing our own food and plants for medicine, while respecting nature and it's powers, will bring us back to our true natures and health, and re-empower us. These books are good reading for the soul.